By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has cited the 15 policemen, who were able to repulse and defend their police station in Victoria, Northern Samar despite facing about 50 fully-armed terrorists on Thursday.
Interior and Local Government Sec. Eduardo Año
(DILG / MANILA BULLETIN)
Outnumbered but not outfought, the police officers turned their disadvantage into a tactical victory by inflicting casualties on the Communist rebels.
“Despite being outnumbered by the attacking communist terrorists, these brave police officers held their position and defeated the enemy. This is a highly commendable accomplishment that should be the standard in all police stations nationwide: outnumbered but never outfought,” said DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año.
Reports from the Police Regional Office No. 8, said the 15 police officers on-duty, led by Victoria MPS Chief, P/Lt. Eladio G. Alo, engaged their enemies in a three-hour gun battle.
Año commended both PRO 8 Regional Director P/BGen Dionardo Carlos and Alo for successfully repulsing the terrorist attack of the armed Reds.
He added that the deserving personnel of the PNP will be given due honor and recognition.
The DILG Chief also called on the PNP to work closely with the military to intensify the government’s campaign to end communist terrorism in the country by taking the offensive.
“The best defense is always offense. Let us go and attack the NPA guerrilla bases in tandem with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and make sure that these NPA terrorists will pay for their heinous crimes against the Filipino people,” said Año.
On March 28, around 50 members of the NPA arrived onboard two six-wheeler trucks, and opened fire at the Victoria Municipal Police Station (MPS) at 3:30 a.m.
Two cops were wounded in the firefight, namely P/Senior Master Sergeant Arturo S. Gordo, Jr. and P/Master Sergeant Arnold P. Cabacang while three of the attackers were killed as one was captured.
Recovered from the site were two M16 rifles, one M14 rifle and one caliber 60.
The encounter ended at 6:40 a.m..
“The attack is a desperate but futile attempt of the Left to strike fear among our men in uniform. The government will not be intimidated by this dastardly act of violence and will only intensify our campaign to end terrorism in the country,” said Año.